Tag: Advance pricing arrangement (APA)

An Advance Pricing Arrangement (APA) is an arrangement that determines, in advance of controlled transactions, an appropriate set of criteria (e.g. method, comparables and appropriate adjustments thereto, critical assumptions as to future events) for the determination of the transfer pricing for those transactions over a fixed period of time. An advance pricing arrangement may be unilateral involving one tax administration and a taxpayer or multilateral involving the agreement of two or more tax administrations.

Finland vs A Oy, June 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No. KHO:2021:73

Finland vs A Oy, June 2021, Supreme Administrative Court, Case No. KHO:2021:73

A Oy was part of the A group, whose parent company was A Corporation, a US corporation. A Oy had acted as the group’s limited risk distribution company in Finland. The transfer prices of the group companies had been determined on a mark-to-market basis using the net transaction margin method and the group companies’ operating profit on a mark-to-market basis had been determined on the basis of US GAAP, the accounting standard commonly applied within the group. The target profit level for the group’s limited risk distribution companies, including A Ltd, was set at 0,5 % in the group’s transfer pricing documentation, based on a comparables analysis. In 2011, the competent authorities of the countries of residence of the A Group’s European manufacturing companies had entered into an Advance Transfer Pricing Agreement (APA) under which transfer pricing is monitored in accordance with the Group’s common accounting standard, US GAAP, and the market-based operating profit level for the limited risk distributors ... Read more
OECD Guidance on the transfer pricing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic

OECD Guidance on the transfer pricing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic

Unique economic conditions arising from COVID-19 and government responses to the pandemic have led to practical challenges for the application of the arm’s length principle. For taxpayers applying transfer pricing rules for the financial years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and for tax administrations that will be evaluating this application, there is an urgent need to address these practical questions. The OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations 2017 (“OECD TPG”) are intended to help tax administrations and multinational enterprises (“MNEs”) find mutually satisfactory solutions to transfer pricing cases and should continue to be relied upon when performing a transfer pricing analysis, including under the possibly unique circumstances introduced by the pandemic. Accordingly, guidance have been issued focusing on how the arm’s length principle and the OECD TPG apply to issues that may arise or be exacerbated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than on developing specialised guidance beyond what is currently addressed in the ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 112

A range of technological solutions are available to replace and/or complement, traditional methods of communication, such as face-to-face meetings and the exchange of physical documentation, while maintaining confidentiality and security requirements. There may be situations where flexible approaches are not readily identifiable or appropriate, however, tax administrations and taxpayers should be encouraged to assess alternative approaches to maintaining progress in APA discussions on a case-by- case basis rather than defaulting to historic working methods or one-size fits all solutions. Effective use of tax administration and taxpayer resources is crucial during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and practical experience suggests that the following have been utilised with success in certain cases: Virtual tax administration and taxpayer case conferences in the place of physical meetings (for example, telephone and video conferences) Virtual functional interviews with taxpayer’s employees Virtual taxpayer site visits in the place of physical visits (so long as the performance of adequate due diligence is not compromised) Electronic documentation ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 111

Despite these potential challenges, the value of achieving advanced certainty and effective dispute prevention through APAs remains compelling. A number of tax administrations and taxpayers have identified a variety of ways to adapt working practices in order to overcome any practical impediments to working APAs. Tax administrations and tax payers should recognise that rigid adherence to pre COVID- 19 working practises may unduly lead to significant delays in APA negotiations. Instead, innovative and flexible approaches to ensure collaborative working in order to minimise delays in concluding APAs under negotiation should be encouraged ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 110

The COVID-19 pandemic also presents practical difficulties for tax administrations and taxpayers currently negotiating APAs. Potential challenges may arise for a number of reasons including restrictions on domestic and international travel; enforced or voluntary working from home; or additional resource pressures as a result of efforts to manage responses to the COVID-19 pandemic ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 109

Where taxpayers and tax administrations are negotiating APAs that are intended to cover FY2020, all parties are encouraged to adopt a flexible and collaborative approach to determine how to take into account the current economic conditions, and the various options discussed above in relation to the revision of existing APAs will be relevant. For example, consideration could be given to agreeing a short period APA covering the period affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and a separate APA covering the post-COVID period. Another solution could be to conclude the APA for the whole period (e.g. APA period of 2020-2024) with a condition that the relevant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be analysed and reported annually once they are known, and retrospective amendments to the APA made accordingly, when appropriate. Another solution could be to extend the period of the APA to mitigate the short term effect of the pandemic, depending on the magnitude and the length of such effect. Additionally, ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 108

In the current environment, taxpayers may be reluctant about continuing or initiating new APA applications. This is understandable given the significant level of economic uncertainty that many businesses face, uncertainty that for some taxpayers may mean it is not feasible to reach agreements on future APAs today. However, it is important to acknowledge the role of APAs in securing tax certainty for taxpayers and tax administrations, and in preventing future tax disputes ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 107

However, tax administrations are likely to respond differently to the failure to comply with the terms and conditions of an existing APA, than to the failure to meet critical assumptions.55 This may reflect differences in the procedures prescribed by an APA agreement, domestic law or procedural provision. For example, it may be the case that where there is a breach in the critical assumption the terms of the APA prescribe that it should be cancelled unless otherwise agreed, whereas, the consequence of non- compliance may be that a tax administration can choose to cancel, revoke, revise or enforce an APA. 55 Section E.3 of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 106

When considering the consequences of non-compliance with terms and conditions of an existing APA, tax administrations should adopt a similar approach to situations where there is a failure to meet critical assumptions. For example, when determining their response, tax administrations should consider (i) the terms of the APA; (ii) any agreement between relevant tax administrations as to how to deal with non-compliance; and (iii) any applicable domestic law or procedural provisions.54 54 Paragraph 74 of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 105

When engaging with tax administrations, it is important that taxpayers are transparent and disclose all relevant information in a timely manner. In so doing, they will help to maintain the non-adversarial spirit and environment that is vital to the success of APA negotiations ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 104

Where the critical assumptions of an APA are breached, it is important that taxpayers collect and provide tax administrations with relevant supporting documentation. Depending on the particular critical assumption and other facts and circumstances, this could include, but may not be limited to: A description of the narrowest relevant taxpayer business segment tracked by management that encompasses the entities and covered transactions involved in the APA. Forecast and actual business segment profits for the financial years ending with or within financial years affected by COVID-19. Copies showing any proposed or implemented modifications to pre-existing agreements or of new intercompany contracts among the controlled parties affecting the covered transactions. A narrative explaining the anticipated effects of the current economic conditions on an agreed transfer pricing methodology during the financial years affected by COVID-19 including whether it caused restructuring of its operations and/or changes in its risks and responsibilities, and any mitigation of the impact of the current economic conditions on the ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 103

As economic conditions will remain uncertain until at least the end of 2020, where taxpayers notify tax administrations of the failure to meet critical assumptions, tax administration may want to consider waiting for a reasonable period until data and information on the magnitude and longevity of the economic impact of COVID-19 are available before determining how to respond to a breach. By deferring their response, until more data and information is available tax administrations may find it easier to revise, rather than cancel, an APA ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 102

The timing for addressing the terms of APAs impacted by COVID-19 is important. Where material changes in economic conditions lead to the breach of one or more of the critical assumptions, taxpayers should notify the relevant tax administrations as soon as practicable after the change occurs, or the taxpayer becomes aware of the change. Early notification is encouraged in order to give the affected parties more time to try to reach agreement on revising the APA, thereby reducing the likelihood of cancellation ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 101

Revocation may be considered where: (i) there is a misrepresentation, mistake or omission that was attributable to the neglect, carelessness, or wilful default of a taxpayer when filing an APA request and submission, the annual reports, or other supporting documentation or in supplying any related information; or (ii) the participating taxpayer (or taxpayers) fails to materially comply with a fundamental term or condition of the APA. The pandemic has not altered that standard. Accordingly, revocations of APAs whose terms extend into the period of the COVID-19 pandemic should be limited (just like arising in any other circumstances) to situations where the actions, as provided above53, that meet the standard for revocation regardless of whether such actions arose because of the pandemic. 53 Paragraph 77 Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 100

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are two situations which may lead to cancelling an APA when it is established that: in FY2020 (i) there is a material breach in an APA’s critical assumption as a result of a change in economic circumstances; or, (ii) the taxpayer failed to materially comply with any term or condition of the APA. Cancellation would not, however, be automatic and the tax administration may waive cancellation under certain circumstances.52 Cancellation would have the effect of ending an APA on an agreed date or from a particular tax year or accounting period (e.g. after FY2019). 52 Paragraph 81 Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 99

In other circumstances, more general revisions may be required, depending on the specific facts and circumstances of a case, where allowed by domestic law. For example, tax administrations could consider evaluating the results of the transfer pricing methodology specified by the APA over the period of the APA, rather than on an annual basis, i.e. a “term test”. This approach would aggregate the financial results of FY2020, which may be exceptional, with the more normal results of prior and future years. In combination with this, tax administrations could also consider extending the period covered by an APA. Tax administrations could consider segregating the terms of the APA between financial years affected and unaffected by COVID-19, or cancelling an existing APA for FY2020 and then renewing the APA in a future period, potentially on revised terms. Alternatively, tax administration could also consider aggregating the financial results from a series of covered transactions covered separately under an APA and assessing whether on ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 98

In some circumstances, it may be possible to retain some of the terms set out in an APA, but revise specific provisions for which the breach in the critical assumptions is relevant. For example, an APA may cover a series of controlled transactions for which the agreed methodology for only one specific transaction required revision ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 97

Revision would be the appropriate response where there has been a material change in conditions noted in a critical assumption in the APA and the tax administration and the taxpayer agree on how to revise the APA.51 The revision of an existing APA would have the effect of changing the previously agreed terms of an APA. Under this approach, it is likely that the original terms of the APA would remain in force for the period up to FY2020, with revised terms applying for FY2020 and any subsequent year(s) subject to the economic circumstances derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. 51 Paragraphs 83 and 85 of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 96

In some situations, the APA agreement, domestic law or procedural provisions may prescribe procedures to follow, or describe the consequences that will arise, in situations where there is a failure to fulfil critical In these situations, tax administrations should follow the prescribed procedures.46 In other situations, tax administrations may have some discretion over their response.47 Also in the event that the effect of the breach is not material, (Paragraph 75 of the Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG), the taxpayer and tax administration may agree to continue to apply the APA In the case of bilateral or multilateral APAs, a common and helpful practice is for the tax administrations to consult before imposing any unilateral changes,48 and such consultation is mandated in some APAs.49 In the absence of other rules and procedures prescribed by domestic law, when the guidance in Chapter IV of the OECD TPG apply , a breach of critical assumption with the APA could ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 95

When considering the consequences of the failure to meet critical assumptions, tax administrations and taxpayers should consider the (i) terms of the APA; (ii) any agreement between relevant tax administrations as to how to deal with the failure; and (iii) any applicable domestic law or procedural provisions.45 This section follows the guidance in Chapter IV, Section F and Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG. 45 Paragraph 74 of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 94

Where tax administrations establish that the critical assumptions of an APA have not been breached, the existing APA, as agreed, must continue to be respected, maintained and upheld. If a taxpayer believes that the terms of the APA are no longer appropriate, it should not seek unilaterally to breach critical assumptions deliberately or fail to comply with the terms or conditions of the APA, and it should avoid making unreliable price adjustments or taking other actions that are not consistent with (or otherwise fail to comply with) the terms of the APA that it may view as not appropriate. Instead, where taxpayers have concerns, they should approach the relevant tax administration in a transparent way to discuss their concerns ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 93

Whether there has been a breach in a critical assumption should be analysed on a case-by-case basis, and it should take into account the individual circumstances of the taxpayer and commercial environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has not had the same impact on all enterprises. While many industries and business have experienced a drop in demand and revenues because of forced lockdowns, others have expanded their consumer-base or benefitted from new business opportunities. Whether a breach has occurred may also depend on the duration of the disruption. If a breach has occurred, in determining an appropriate response, a tax administration should carefully consider the extent of the divergence between the agreed parameters in the APA and the new parameters under the COVID-19 economic circumstances43; and, the ability of the agreed transfer pricing methodology to reliably reflect arm’s length pricing of a controlled transaction under the new situation.44 43 Paragraph 45 of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG. 44 ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 92

Most APAs include critical assumptions about the operational and economic conditions that will affect the transactions covered by the APA. The COVID-19 pandemic and the response of governments have dramatically affected the economic and market conditions and are likely to qualify as a breach of the critical assumptions (para. 44 b) and c) of Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG). A mere change in business results during the period affected by the COVID-19 pandemic would not, however, result in a breach of a critical assumption (unless the particular APA had a critical assumption regarding changes in business results) ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 91

Generally, the APA itself will explicitly describe what constitutes a situation of non-compliance or failure to meet a critical assumption, as well as the consequences arising from it. Also, domestic law or procedural provisions may also impose consequences or obligations on the taxpayer and affected tax administrations. All this should be considered by taxpayers and tax administrations in determining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on existing APAs ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 90

Yes, existing APAs and their terms should be respected, maintained and upheld, unless a condition leading to the cancellation or revision of the APA (e.g. breach of critical assumptions) has occurred. Taxpayers and tax administrations cannot automatically disregard or alter the terms of existing APAs due to the change in economic circumstances. 42 In considering how to respond to the impact of COVID-19 on existing APAs, the guidance provided, in Annex II to Chapter IV of the OECD TPG: Guidelines for Conducting Advance Pricing Arrangements under the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP APAs) is relevant ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 89

Some taxpayers may face challenges applying existing APAs under the economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In those instances, taxpayers are encouraged to adopt a collaborative and transparent approach by raising these issues with the relevant tax administrations in a timely manner. Taxpayers should not seek to resolve them unilaterally without consulting with the relevant tax administrations ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 88

One of the primary benefits of an APA is that it provides tax certainty to taxpayers and tax administrations by ensuring predictability in the treatment of international transactions for tax purposes. It is important to underline, however, that taxpayers and tax authorities are encouraged to take constructive and collaborative approaches in the APA process, which are conducive to the long-run success of an APA programme ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 87

COVID-19 has led to material changes in economic conditions that were not anticipated when many APAs covering FY2020 and potentially future financial years affected by COVID-19 were agreed. Given this situation, it is important to determine to what extent, if any, the change in economic conditions affects the application of existing APAs. Taxpayers and tax administrations negotiating APAs that apply to FY2020 may also face questions about how the economic conditions arising from COVID-19 should be taken into account. For this reason, this guidance explains the possible impact of COVID-19 on existing unilateral, bilateral and multilateral APAs and APAs under negotiation ... Read more

OECD COVID-19 TPG paragraph 4

However, the unique and almost unprecedented economic conditions arising from and government responses to COVID-19 have led to practical challenges for the application of the arm’s length principle. For example, the pandemic may raise novel issues or exacerbate in complexity or magnitude the occurrence of certain transfer pricing issues (e.g. effect of government assistance or the availability of reliable comparable data). For taxpayers applying transfer pricing rules for the financial years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and for tax administrations that will be evaluating this application, there is a need to address these practical questions. Based on the responses to the questionnaires submitted to members of the Inclusive Framework and businesses, and conscious of the need to provide practical and timely guidance, this note addresses four priority issues: (i) comparability analysis; (ii) allocation of losses and the allocation of COVID-19 specific costs; (iii) government assistance programmes; and (iv) Advance Pricing Arrangements (“APAs”). For ease of presentation, these issues have been ... Read more
Mexico vs Majestic Silver Corp, September 2020, Federal Administrative Court, Not published

Mexico vs Majestic Silver Corp, September 2020, Federal Administrative Court, Not published

On 23 September 2020, the Federal Administrative Court in Mexico issued a not yet published decision in a dispute between the Mexican tax authorities (SAT) and Canadian mining group First Majestic Silver Corp’s Mexican subsidiary, Primero Empresa Minera. The court case was filed back in 2015 by the tax authorities, to cancel an Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) issued to Primero Empresa Minera back in 2012. According to the APA, a methodology had been determined allowing the Mexican mining company to sell silver at 4.04 dollars per ounce to a group company based in Barbados (Silver Trading Barbados Ltd) via Luxembourg, when the average market price of silver was above 30 dollars. The APA was applied by Primero Empresa Minera for FY 2010 – 2014. The Federal Court decided in favor of the tax authorities that the APA was invalid and therefore nullified. After receiving the decision from the Federal Court, First Majestic on 25 September 2020 issued a press release ... Read more
US vs Eaton, Oct. 2019, United States Tax Court, Docket No 5576-12

US vs Eaton, Oct. 2019, United States Tax Court, Docket No 5576-12

Eaton Corporation is a global manufacturer of electrical and industrial products headquartered in the US.  This case concerning the computation of penalties is related to a previous 2017 dispute concerning the cancellation of two advance pricing agreements (APAs) establishing a transfer pricing methodology (TPM) for covered transactions between Eaton Corp and its subsidiaries. In 2011 IRS determined that Eaton had not complied with the applicable terms of the governing APA revenue procedures and canceled APA I and APA II, effective January 1, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The US Tax Court found that the cancellation of the APAs was an abuse of discretion (US vs Eaton TC opinion from July 2017), and the APAs remained in effect. Irespective of the ruling related to the cancellation of the APAs, the IRS determined that a section 482 adjustment were still necessary to reflect an arm’s-length result for Eaton’s intercompany transactions, and that the computations should include 40% penalties pursuant to I.R.C. sec. 6662(h). Section 6662(a) imposes a ... Read more
Hungary vs "APA Ktf", October 2019, Court of Appeals, Case No. Kfv.I.35.504/2018/6

Hungary vs “APA Ktf”, October 2019, Court of Appeals, Case No. Kfv.I.35.504/2018/6

The tax authority had set the price range for “APA Ktf’s” request for an advance pricing arrangement (APA) at 12.50 to 22.50 basis points. According to the tax authorities, it follows from points 3.61 and 3.62 of the Guidelines that it is only appropriate to adjust the arm’s length price for such transactions to a level close to the mid-point of the range if there is a comparability gap. In the present case, however, it had not been established that there are any shortcomings in comparability, so the first turn of paragraph 3.62 applies: any point in the range, including the mid-point, is in accordance with the arm’s length principle. Judgement of the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal pointed out that the applicant had applied for the determination of the normal market price under Article 132/B of the Art. “[37]Defendant [tax authorities] argued in its application for review that, under paragraphs 3.61 and 3.62 of the Guidelines, it ... Read more
Poland vs R. Group, September 2018, Administrative Court, Case No III SA/Wa 263/18

Poland vs R. Group, September 2018, Administrative Court, Case No III SA/Wa 263/18

R. Sp. z o.o. had requested a binding ruling/interpretation regarding tax deduction for the price paid to a related entity under restructuring. The request was denied by the tax authorities, as the question – according to the authorities – could only be answered under an Advance Pricing Agreement. R. Sp. z.o.o brought the issue before the Administrative Court Judgement of the Administrative Court The Court decided in favour of R. Sp. z.o.o. According to the Court, the tax authorities could not refuse to issue a binding ruling/interpretation on whether or not a price paid to a related party under restructuring was tax deductible. Click here for English Translation Click here for other translation III SA_Wa 263_18 - Wyrok WSA w Warszawie z 2018-09-26 ... Read more
Spain vs. Zeraim Iberica SA, June 2018, Audiencia Nacional, Case No. ES:AN:2018:2856

Spain vs. Zeraim Iberica SA, June 2018, Audiencia Nacional, Case No. ES:AN:2018:2856

ZERAIM IBERICA SA, a Spanish subsidiary in the Swiss Syngenta Group (that produces seeds and agrochemicals), had first been issued a tax assessment relating to fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and later another assessment for FY 2008 and 2009 related to the arm’s length price of seeds acquired from Zeraim Gedera (Israel) and thus the profitability of the distribution activities in Spain. The company held that new evidence – an advance pricing agreement (APA) between France and Switzerland – demonstrated that the comparability analysis carried out by the Spanish tax authorities suffered from significant deficiencies and resulted in at totally irrational result, intending to allocate a net operating result or net margin of 32.79% in fiscal year 2008 and 30.81% in 2009 to ZERAIM IBERICA SA when the profitability of distribution companies in the sector had average net margins of 1.59%. The tax authorities on there side argued that the best method for pricing the transactions was the Resale Price ... Read more

Annex to Chapter VI – Hard To Value Intangibles – 3. Dispute prevention and resolution

3. Dispute prevention and resolution in relation to the HTVI approach 34. The purpose of this guidance is to improve consistency in the application of the HTVI approach by jurisdictions, thus reducing the risk of economic double taxation. In addition to this guidance, there may be other tools at the disposal of taxpayers to avoid instances of double taxation and enhance tax certainty in HTVI transactions. 35. In particular, Chapter IV of these Guidelines discusses in detail advance pricing arrangements (APAs), which if concluded bilaterally or multilaterally between treaty partner competent authorities provide an increased level of certainty in the jurisdictions involved, lessen the likelihood of double taxation, and may proactively prevent transfer pricing disputes. Recognising the role of APAs in preventing double taxation and providing certainty to taxpayers, paragraph 6.193 of these Guidelines prevents the application of the HTVI approach when the transfer of the HTVI is covered by a bilateral or multilateral APA in effect for the period ... Read more
Nokia paid 202 million euro to settle a long running dispute with the tax authorities in India

Nokia paid 202 million euro to settle a long running dispute with the tax authorities in India

Under the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP), Finland and India have settled a long running tax dispute involving Nokia. The tax authorities in India issued a tax assessment to Nokia for violating withholding tax regulations in India while making royalty payments to its parent company in Finland. An additional assessment was then issued by the tax authorities in India to the parent company in Finland for the same transaction as – according to the tax authorities – the company had a permanent establishment in India. According to the MAP settlement Nokia will pay 102 million euro in addition to the 100 million euro already paid in India during 2013-2015 ... Read more
US vs EATON-CORPORATION, July 2017, US Tax Court, TC memo 2017-147

US vs EATON-CORPORATION, July 2017, US Tax Court, TC memo 2017-147

Eaton Corporation is a multinational manufacturer of electric and hydraulic components. In 2014 Eaton and the IRS concluded an APA for FY 2001-2005 covering intercompany transactions related to the manufacturing of breaker products and other electrical components by Eaton’s foreign subsidiaries in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and further resale of these components in the US. In 2006, the APA was renewed for FY 2006–2010. In 2011 the IRS decided to cancel the APAs with Eaton Corporation. The US Tax Court ruled that this decision to cancel the APAs was an abuse of discretion. US vs EATON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES, July 26 2017, United States Tax Court, TC memo 2017-147 ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.176

In addition, bilateral APAs with treaty partners should conform to certain requirements. For example, the same necessary and pertinent information should be made available to each tax administration at the same time, and the agreed upon methodology should be in accordance with the arm’s length principle ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.175

Between those countries that use APAs, greater uniformity in APA practices could be beneficial to both tax administrations and taxpayers. Accordingly, the tax administrations of such countries may wish to consider working agreements with the competent authorities for the undertaking of APAs. These agreements may set forth general guidelines and understandings for the reaching of mutual agreement in cases where a taxpayer has requested an APA involving transfer pricing issues ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.174

As discussed above, the nature of APA proceedings may de facto limit their accessibility to large taxpayers. The restriction of APAs to large taxpayers may raise questions of equality and uniformity, since taxpayers in identical situations should not be treated differently. A flexible allocation of examination resources may alleviate these concerns. Tax administrations also may need to consider the possibility of adopting a streamlined access for small taxpayers. Tax administrations should take care to adapt their levels of inquiry, in evaluating APAs, to the size of the international transactions involved ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.173

Wherever possible, an APA should be concluded on a bilateral or multilateral basis between competent authorities through the mutual agreement procedure of the relevant treaty. A bilateral APA carries less risk of taxpayers feeling compelled to enter into an APA or to accept a non- arm’s-length agreement in order to avoid expensive and prolonged enquiries and possible penalties. A bilateral APA also significantly reduces the chance of any profits either escaping tax altogether or being doubly taxed, Moreover, concluding an APA through the mutual agreement procedure may be the only form that can be adopted by a tax administration which lacks domestic legislation to conclude binding agreements directly with the taxpayer ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.172

When considering the scope of an APA, taxpayers and tax administrations need to pay close attention to the reliability of any predictions so as to exclude unreliable predictions. In general, great care must be taken if the APA goes beyond the methodology, its application, and critical assumptions. See paragraphs 4.134-4.139 ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.171

There are some continuing issues regarding the form and scope of APAs that require greater experience for full resolution and agreement among member countries, such as the question of unilateral APAs. The Committee on Fiscal Affairs intends to monitor carefully any expanded use of APAs and to promote greater consistency in practice among those countries that choose to use them ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.170

Since the Guidelines were published in their original version in 1995, a significant number of OECD member countries have acquired experience with APAs. Those countries which do have some experience seem to be satisfied so far, so that it can be expected that under the appropriate circumstances the experience with APAs will continue to expand. The success of APA programs will depend on the care taken in determining the proper degree of specificity for the arrangement based on critical assumptions, the proper administration of the program, and the presence of adequate safeguards to avoid the pitfalls described above, in addition to the flexibility and openness with which all parties approach the process ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.169

An APA program cannot be used by all taxpayers because the procedure can be expensive and time-consuming and small taxpayers generally may not be able to afford it. This is especially true if independent experts are involved. APAs may therefore only assist in resolving mainly large transfer pricing cases. In addition, the resource implications of an APA program may limit the number of requests a tax administration can entertain. In evaluating APAs, tax administrations can alleviate these potential problems by ensuring that the level of inquiry is adjusted to the size of the international transactions involved ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.168

Tax administrations also should ensure the confidentiality of trade secrets and other sensitive information and documentation submitted to them in the course of an APA proceeding. Therefore, domestic rules against disclosure should be applied. In a bilateral APA the confidentiality requirements on treaty partners would apply, thereby preventing public disclosure of confidential data ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.167

Problems could also develop if tax administrations misuse information obtained in an APA in their examination practices. If the taxpayer withdraws from its APA request or if the taxpayer’s application is rejected after consideration of all of the facts, any nonfactual information provided by the taxpayer in connection with the APA request, such as settlement offers, reasoning, opinions, and judgments, cannot be treated as relevant in any respect to the examination. In addition, the fact that a taxpayer has applied unsuccessfully for an APA should not be taken into account by the tax administration in determining whether to commence an examination of that taxpayer ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.166

Another possible concern is that an APA may allow the tax administration to make a closer study of the transactions at issue than would occur in the context of a transfer pricing examination, depending on the facts and circumstances. The taxpayer must provide detailed information relating to its transfer pricing and satisfy any other requirements imposed for the verification of compliance with the terms and conditions of the APA. At the same time, the taxpayer is not sheltered from normal and routine examinations by the tax administration on other issues. An APA also does not shelter a taxpayer from examination of its transfer pricing activities. The taxpayer may still have to establish that it has complied in good faith with the terms and conditions of the APA, that the material representations in the APA remain valid, that the supporting data used in applying the methodology were correct, that the critical assumptions underlying the APA are still valid and are applied ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.165

For example, an APA might seek more detailed industry and taxpayer specific information than would be requested in a transfer pricing examination. In principle, this should not be the case and the documentation required for an APA should not be more onerous than for an examination, except for the fact that in an APA the tax administration will need to have details of predictions and the basis for those predictions, which may not be central issues in a transfer pricing examination that focuses on completed transactions. In fact, an APA should seek to limit the documentation, as discussed above, and focus the documentation more closely on the issues in light of the taxpayer’s business practices. Tax administrations need to recognise that: a) Publicly available information on competitors and comparables is limited; b) Not all taxpayers have the capacity to undertake in-depth market analyses; and, c) Only parent companies may be knowledgeable about group pricing policies ... Read more

TPG2017 Chapter IV paragraph 4.164

In addition to the foregoing concerns, there are a number of possible pitfalls as described below that could arise if an APA program were improperly administered, and tax administrations who use APAs should make strong efforts to eliminate the occurrence of these problems as APA practice evolves ... Read more